The Patriot (Hayden Family #1) by Jennifer Millikin-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 11, 2021

I’m a soldier.
A cattle rancher.
A Hayden.

My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire.

When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want.

And, as luck would have it, Dakota has a big problem of her own. We strike two deals: one for the land, and a second that’ll make both our problems a distant memory.

It isn’t too long before I realize I’m in over my head. I’ve convinced myself the ends should justify the means, but everything begins to fall apart when my birthright is no longer all that I’m after.

I never thought there’d be anything I could love more than my ranch and my country.
I was wrong.

Turns out, I want it all.
Including her.

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REVIEW:THE PATRIOT is the first instalment in Jennifer Millikin’s contemporary, adult HAYDEN FAMILY romance series focusing on the Hayden siblings (Wesley, Warner, Wyatt and Jessie). This is thirty-seven year old, former US army explosive specialist and rancher Wes Hayden, and real estate developer/ investor Dakota Wright’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Wes and Dakota) THE PATRIOT follows Dakota Wright as she is tasked by her father with purchasing and developing several acres of land owned by the wealthy and powerful Hayden Cattle Company in Sierra Grande, Arizona but the surprise is on our heroine when she discovers that her one-night stand from five years previous is none other than heir to the Hayden Cattle Company Wes Hayden. Struggling to maintain her professionalism Dakota comes to realize that Wes refuses to acknowledge what was, and struggles to accept the sale of some of the family land. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Wes and Dakota, and the potential fall-out as the Hayden Cattle Company has been targeted for sins of the past, and our heroine is caught in the cross-fire.

Wes Hayden struggles with PTSD, and his one-night stand five years earlier with Dakota Wright has left our hero with issues of guilt and embarrassment in the wake of his need to run. Reconnecting with Dakota brought with it the palpable sexual attraction to a woman he believes he does not deserve but an outdated family mandate forces Wes to make Dakota an offer she cannot refuse.

The relationship between Wes and Dakota is one of immediate attraction; a second chance romance wherein five years has past, and Dakota struggles to forgive the man with whom she will fall in love. Wes returned from three tours of duty a changed man, and in this, his family worries that Wes is no longer the son to take over the ranch. The sex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Dakota’s father Mitch Wright; Wes’ siblings Warner, Wyatt and Jessie; their parents Beau and Juliette Hayden; real estate agent Jericho Barnett; café server Josephine; several townies, and ranch hands Dixon, Troy, Josh, Ham, Denny and Bryce. I am hoping the author has plans for Josephine as well.

THE PATRIOT is a story of family and relationships; betrayal and revenge; guilt and acceptance; romance and love. The premise is heart breaking, engaging and captivating ;the romance is seductive and sensual; the characters are broken, impassioned, and dynamic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

••••••••

-> READ the FIRST CHAPTER

http://bit.ly/FirstChapterThePatriot

Jennifer Millikin is a contemporary romance and women’s fiction author. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, two children, and Liberty, her Lab who thinks she’s human. Jennifer craves vegetables and refuses to apologize for it, can probably beat you in Spot It, and believes chips and salsa should be a food group.

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